Birmingham Classic tennis 2022: Emma Raducanu to star at Edgbaston tournament

Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu’s preparations for Wimbledon will gather pace with an appearance at the prestigious Birmingham Classic next month.

It is a real coup for the city as reigning US Open champion Raducanu, ranked 12^th in the world, has not featured in a competitive tournament on British soil since reaching the fourth round at SW19 last summer.

The 19-year-old is just one of a number of big names expected to play at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham between June 11-19 at Edgbaston Priory Club.

History made

Raducanu stunned the tennis world last September when she won the 2021 US Open women’s singles title as a qualifier. Then 18, she beat fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

Raducanu’s triumph in New York was a spectacular one as she became Britain’s first female Grand Slam champion since 1977 and the first qualifier – male or female – to win a Grand Slam title.

Raducanu is currently focusing on the European clay court season and faces Canada’s Bianca Andreescu today (Tuesday, in the first round of the Italian Open.

She is currently without a full-time coach after parting company with German Torben Beltz, but is working with the Lawn Tennis Association’s head of women’s tennis, Iain Bates, in Rome.

What’s Raducanu had to say about her return to British soil in Birmingham and coaching situation?

She said: “It will be great to get back on to the grass and relive some wonderful memories from last year, when the backing of the British fans was fantastic.

“I’d describe myself as a loner. I do like being on my own, but of course I love being in groups as well. I think it’s something (that applies) off court as well as on court.

“For the past year I’d say I’ve had a lot of people around me a lot and very often. To be kind of on my own is interesting because I’m finding out a lot about myself, understanding what I need and what I don’t need.”

How do I buy tickets for the Birmingham Classic tournament?

Tickets are available for Lawn Tennis Association competitions, including the Women’s Tennis Association Birmingham Classic, by visiting Birmingham Classic

Getting to the event and parking

Edgbaston Priory Club is located on Sir Harrys Road, B15 2UZ. Parking is available in the Priory School car park located in the school grounds next to the tennis club.

The public car park will open at 9am and spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. The cost is £5 per day on qualifying weekend, £10 per day or £50 for a weekly ticket. Advanced booking is not available and payment on site is by card only.

Disabled parking is available at the Edgbaston Priory Club Gate 3 entrance and spaces – which are free of charge - must be booked in advance by completing the online form at: Birmingham Classic Parking

The venue is easily accessible by bus by taking the 47, 61 or 63 from St Martin’s Queensway (Stop NS3) coming from Birmingham New Street. Get off at Sir Harrys Road, from where the club is an eight-minute walk.

What’s the history of the Birmingham Classic?

The women’s event was founded in 1982 and this will be the 40^th edition of the tournament.

Play begins at 11am each day, except on finals day on Sunday, June 19 when it commences at 1pm.

Previous singles winners this century include Maria Sharapova (twice), Sabine Lisicki, Ana Ivanovic, Angelique Kerver, Petra Kvitova (twice) and Ashleigh Barty.

Visit Birmingham Classic to keep up to speed with player announcements and more as the countdown to the action continues.

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